Tougher pokies laws planned for SA

The South Australian Government is planning changes affecting poker machine operations in an effort to reduce problem gambling.

It said the changes will be the most significant since machines were introduced to SA in the mid 1990s.

Venues will need to choose whether to fit the 'major' category, with a 60-machine limit and tighter regulations, or the 'minor' category with a 20-machine limit.

A 'major' venue would need to have systems aimed at reducing problem gambling and a 'minor' venue would have gaming as an incidental activity to food and drinks provision.

A maximum bet of $5 per spin is also to apply.

Casino measures

All of the studies have demonstrated that the number of venues is a critical factor. This will achieve a reduction in the number of venues

John Rau

Deputy Premier John Rau said the Adelaide Casino would be required to enforce responsible gambling measures which would be the strongest applied to any casino across Australia.

The casino is expected to be the biggest buyer of any machines which come up for sale, as it will need hundreds of new pokies if it goes ahead with a planned expansion.

But should it fail to find enough willing sellers of pokies, the casino will receive up to 300 new licences for its high roller room.

Ross Womersley of the Council of Social Service feared SA might end up with more pokies, rather than less.

"We could run to a situation where the casino actually ends up with more machines and overall we end up with more machines in the system," he said.

But Mr Rau said the planned changes across the state should ease problem gambling.

"All of the studies have demonstrated that the number of venues is a critical factor. This will achieve a reduction in the number of venues," he said.

Welfare organisation Uniting Communities said it was pleased with the plan to remove hundreds more poker machines, as part of a commitment given by Parliament back in 2004.

Official Mark Henley said close monitoring of gaming was essential.

"If we must have poker machine gambling in South Australia then it is best concentrated in a small number of big venues with close monitoring and enforcement," he said.

"The legislative changes help to achieve this goal."

Short of target

The Government plans to remove another 800 pokies from SA to achieve its reduction target of 3,000, with most of the changes to come into effect by 2017.

Dennis Hood of Family First said there had been a long wait for the concerns to be dealt with.

"That's the problem. The most addicted people to poker machines in South Australia is the State Government," he said.

The Australian Hotels Association said the changes could mean venues seeking to downsize or end their gaming operations would be able to do so in a more competitive trading environment.

It said many smaller venues in regional SA might benefit from less red tape and lower cost burdens under limits of 20 machines or less in the 'minor' category.

Mr Rau expressed confidence for the future for smaller operators.

"I believe that these measures will mean that a number of small venues will decide 'look, this is not a bad opportunity for us to exit the gaming world altogether'," he said.

ClubsSA president Cameron Taylor said there could be big consequences for venues which give up their pokies.

"What we need to realise is that money goes back into sport from these clubs," he said.

Major venues

Maximum of 60 machines from January 2017Voluntary pre-commitment and automated risk monitoring by 2017Maximum bet of $5 per spin (reduced from $10) from 2017All gaming machines to support on-screen messages from 2017Daily withdrawal limit of $250 from February 2014, as with federal reformResponsible gambling agreement required

Minor venues

Maximum of 20 machines from January 2017Maximum bet of $5 per spin (reduced from $10) from 2017Must be closed between 2:00am and 10:00am from 2017Will not have automated coin machines from January 2020Daily withdrawal limit of $250 from February 2014, as with federal reformNo loyalty schemes by July 2016

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